BylawsRev. 6/04/05
Bylaws of the Mid State Soccer League
The Bylaws of the Mid State Soccer
League were approved and adopted by the Representatives of the Member Associations
of the Mid State Soccer League in a duly called meeting on June 16, 2001
in Sanford, NC. Revisions were adopted at a meeting of the Representatives
of the Member Associations on July 14, 2001, June 28, 2003, and June 4,
2005.
1.1 The name of this association shall be the Mid State Soccer League. (MSSL, or League) The structure of the League shall be an unincorporated association.
1.2 The conduct
of the affairs of the MSSL shall be in accordance with these bylaws.
Article II. Purpose and Operating Philosophy
2.1 The purpose of the MSSL is provide a venue for competitive youth soccer by serving NCYSA affiliated youth soccer associations located in the 17 counties in the middle portion of the state of North Carolina: Chatham, Cumberland, Durham, Franklin, Granville, Harnett, Hoke, Johnston, Lee, Moore, Orange, Person, Richmond, Robeson, Scotland, Vance, and Wake. Associations from adjacent counties may be served if the Executive Committee determines that such associations can not be adequately served otherwise.
2.2 This Operating Philosophy is to be used to guide the future formulation and adoption of operating policies and to assist with interpretation of policies and procedures should any question arise as to their applicability.
The Mid State Soccer League is committed to providing a venue which fosters the learning of the following values through the experience of match play.
2.2.1 Wholesome Community Spirit and Friendships
It is the desire of the Mid State Soccer League to bring together various factions of our wider community in an enjoyable activity so that community spirit can be fostered and friendships established beyond the usual bounds of neighborhoods or ethnic or racial divisions.
2.2.2 Sportsmanship
A key to fostering a wholesome community spirit is the practice of sportsmanship in our athletic games. In this regard, the MSSL expects that all players, parents, supporters, coaches, and officials will be polite, positive, and generous in their conduct before, during, and after soccer games. In particular we wish to train our youth by example to accept winning or losing with grace and to appreciate the efforts of the other team in providing worthy competition.
2.2.3 Fair Play & Respect for Rules
The Mid State Soccer League expects all participants to subscribe to an ethic of fair play and respect for the rules of the game and the officials who must enforce the rules.
2.2.4 Equal Treatment of All and Non Discrimination
The Mid State Soccer League pledges itself to equal treatment of all participants and applicants regardless of race, ethnic origin, or sex. Our only requirement for teams is that they demonstrate a desire and an ability to play soccer at a level commensurate with other teams in the League and that they abide by League rules (posted Policies) and pay League fees.
2.2.5 Level of Competition and Travel Considerations
The Mid State Soccer League was
founded with the purpose that families could have a high level soccer experience
without the travel and cost burdens often associated with "Classic" soccer.
Consequently, the League seeks to balance competition while fostering a
high level of play at the "Challenge" level of youth soccer, and, as possible
and practical, to keep travel times to a minimum.
Article III. Membership and Membership Meetings
3.1 Classes of Membership. Membership in the Association shall be of four classes: (1) playing teams, (2) non voting associations, and (3) voting associations and (4) senior voting associations.
3.1.1 Playing Team Members. Individual teams that have been accepted to play in the League in accordance with published MSSL policies are considered members of the MSSL for the purposes of competition. Such teams are members on a season by season basis contingent on successful application to play in the League. Playing Teams do not have voting rights in the MSSL.
3.1.2 Non Voting Association Members. Youth soccer associations that have three or less teams playing in the MSSL are non-voting members of the League during the first seasonal year in which their teams played in the League (August 1, through July 31). Attendance and participation in discussion at meetings of Members is encouraged.
3.1.3 Voting Association Members. Youth soccer associations that have four (4) to eleven (11) (different) teams playing in the MSSL or associations with less than four (4) teams that have participated in the MSSL for more than one year, are voting members of the League during the seasonal year in which their teams played in the League (August 1, through July 31). Each Voting Member Association is allotted one vote at meetings of Members.
3.1.4 Senior Voting Associations. Youth soccer associations that have twelve (12) or more teams playing in the League during the seasonal year will be considered Senior Voting Members. Such members will be allotted 3 votes at meetings of Members.
3.2 Removal From Membership. Individual teams that have acted contrary to the stated philosohpy of the MSSL or that have acted contrary to published MSSL policy (especially including the forfeiting of games or behavior of players , coaches, or supporters contrary to good sportsmanship) may be suspended from playing in the MSSL for the duration of the season or seasonal year by action of the Executive Committee. If a member association is delinquent in dues, fines, performance bonds, or other assessments, or if the member association acts in a manner contrary to the stated philosophy of the MSSL, and if other steps for correcting the delinquency or behavior of a member association or its teams have failed, then the Executive Committee, by majority vote, may suspend the membership of the offending or delinquent association and teams from that association will not be accepted for play for the season following the suspension. Upon notification, the association will have 15 days to make a formal statement concerning the facts of the matter. A special called meeting of the members then decides the matter by majority vote with no further appeal. If the association is removed from membership, its teams may continue to play to finish the season if each team remains in good standing. Teams from the association so removed from membership may re-apply for normal membership status one year after the removal from membership assuming that the issues have been resolved.
3.3 Responsibilities of Member Associations. Member associations of the MSSL have the responsibility to send representative(s) to attend League member meetings and to disseminate information to their teams. The member associations have the responsibility to bring issues to the attention of the League that could improve the League's service. The member associations have the responsibility to discipline and control their member teams and associated individuals to assure compliance with League rules and policies, NCYSA rules, and commonly acceptable standards of behavior.
3.4 Authority of Member Associations. The sole authorities within the MSSL of member associations shall be to elect the Executive Committee at the Annual Meeting of Members in accordance with these ByLaws, to rescind membership in accordance with ByLaw 3.2, to approve by vote the bringing of any lawsuit on behalf of the League, and to amend these ByLaws or dissolve the League in accordance with Article V.
3.5 Meetings of Members.
3.5.1 Annual Meeting. The Member Associations of the MSSL shall meet annually in May, June, or July following completion of the spring season.
3.5.1.1 Annual Meeting Quorum. A quorum of association representatives representing 50% of the votes eligible to be cast is required.
3.5.1.2 Annual Meeting Agenda. The agenda at the Annual Meeting is to review the past year's operations (including financial reports as submitted by the Treasurer) and to elect members of the Executive Committee in accordance with these bylaws. Other actions as permitted by ByLaw 3.4 may be taken at the Annual Meeting.
3.5.1.3 Voting at Annual Meeting. Voting at the annual meeting shall be by association in accordance with votes allotted in ByLaws 3.1.3 and 3.1.4. Senior Association votes may not be split. If more than one individual is in attendance from an association, a single individual shall demonstrate authorization to cast the vote(s) on behalf of the association.
3.5.2 Other meetings. Other meetings of the member associations may be called as needed by the President or any two officers for the purpose of discussion or information dissemination or for purposes authorized in ByLaw 3.4.
3.5.3 Representation. Each member association shall be represented by one or more representatives at a duly called meeting of members.
3.5.4
Notice. Notice of any member meeting shall be considered sufficient
if communicated by US mail, by League Newsletter, or by electronic means
("e-mail") which were postmarked, disseminated, or transmitted electronically,
respectively to names on the League roster at least 10 days prior to the
meeting date. Attendance at a meeting by an individual who is a member
or representative of an association waives notice requirements to that
association.
Article IV. Executive Committee, Officers, and Meetings
4.1 Authority and Role of Executive Committee (EC). The operation of the League and its governance in every detail shall be supervised and directed by the Executive Committee including the adoption or amendment of policies, procedures, and rules applying to the operation of the League. The Executive Committee will engage a Commissioner (and Assistant Commissioners, if necessary) for the following seasonal year and will supervise the activities of the Commissioner during the year. The Executive Committee may dismiss the Commissioner for cause at any time.
4.2 Executive Committee Composition. The Executive Committee shall consist of five (5) persons, two (2) of which must be associated with Senior Voting Member Associations of the League if any such associations qualify per paragraph 3.1.4 of these ByLaws and nominate individuals to so serve.
4.2.1 Any person, regardless of formal affiliation to a Member Association, is qualified for election to the Executive Committee if so voted by the Member Associations at the Annual Meeting and the provisions of ByLaw 4.2 are met. (The intent is to assure the qualification to serve on the Executive Committee of individuals whose expertise, dedication, and commitment is unquestioned, but who no longer may have formal affiliation to a Member Association.) (Rev. 6/28/03)
4.3 Election of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall be elected at the Annual Meeting, subject to the provisions of 4.2 and 4.3.1 of these ByLaws.
4.3.1 Terms and Election Dates. In odd numbered years (2003, 2005, etc) two members of the Executive Committee will be elected for two year terms. In even numbered years, (2002, 2004, etc.) three members of the EC will be elected for two year terms. Election of persons for unfilled terms of EC members due to resignation, abandonment, or other reasons, may be accomplished in any year. The initial EC will be elected in the same year, but two members will have one year terms specified.
4.3.2 Temporary Appointment. If a vacancy occurs on the Executive Committee, the remaining EC members may elect to wait until the next Annual Meeting, or may appoint a person to serve on the EC until the next Annual Meeting. Such appointments must meet the requirements of ByLaw 4.2.
4.3.3 Vacancies. A position on the Executive Committee is considered vacant is a member resigns or fails to attend three consecutive EC meetings.
4.4 Officers. The officers of the MSSL shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Assistant Treasurer. The officers shall be appointed by the Executive Committee from their membership as the first order of business at the first meeting of the EC following the Annual Meeting. The term of all officers shall be one year, with re-appointment if desired.
4.4.1 A commissioner may serve as an Assistant Secretary and/or Second Assistant Treasurer if so appointed by the Executive Committee but shall not be a voting member of the Executive Committee.
4.4.2 President. The President shall preside at all meetings of the League, call special meetings, call Executive Committee Meetings, represent the League to events and other organizations, and generally provide oversight and leadership to the League.
4.4.3 Vice President. The Vice President shall preside at meetings in the absence of the President, and shall be the officer primarily responsible for supervising the work of the Commissioner in cooperation with the President and Treasurer.
4.4.4 Secretary. The Secretary shall be responsible for properly recording all of the official actions of the Executive Committee and the Member Representatives. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all proceedings and actions and make them available to any member association or to others properly requesting such materials. The Secretary may delegate the performance of these functions, but remains responsible for oversight of their proper accomplishment.
4.4.5 Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be responsible for accounting for all of the funds of the League. He or she shall be signatory on all bank accounts. He or she shall assure that monies due are collected and that all financial obligations are met in a timely manner. Such oversight shall be accomplished personally or through auditing the work of the Commissioner or other League official, appointee, or contractor. The Treasurer shall make an annual report to the League Representatives and the Executive Committee and other reports as requested.
4.4.6 Assistant Treasurer. The Assistant Treasurer shall be a signatory on all League bank accounts and act to accomplish the Treasurer's duties in the absence of the Treasurer. The Assistant Treasurer will work with the Treasurer and/or other League official(s) to assure timely collection of receivables and payment of obligations.
4.4.7 President Elect. To provide for continuity of leadership, the Executive Committee shall appoint a President Elect with the expectation that this person will be elected and serve as President one year later. The President Elect may be any person (including the current President) who can reasonably be expected to be elected to the Executive Committee in the year of the next Presidency. (Rev. 6/28/03)
4.5 General Duties of the Executive Committee. The members of the Executive Committee shall be responsible for the smooth operation of the League by working on issues on an ad-hoc basis or, by official action of the EC, or by constituting themselves as sub-committees to address long-term issues.
4.5.1 Disciplinary Board. At such times as disciplinary matters need to be resolved, the Executive Committee shall constitute itself as a Disciplinary Board to review the incidents and make judgements as to what sanctions or other actions should be taken in accordance with League Policy. If an Executive Committee member is directly involved in the disciplinary action, or if the participation of that member would reasonably appear to constitute a conflict of interest as determined by a vote of the Executive Committee, that Executive Committee member shall be disqualified as a Disciplinary Board member.
4.6 Meetings. The Executive Committee shall meet in December or January and in June or July and as otherwise necessary to address issues of governance of the League. (Rev. 6/4/05) Any EC member or the Commissioner may propose issues for discussion and request a meeting, but three EC members must agree to a meeting date and time or to a meeting by electronic means (sequential discussion of an issue and decision by vote.)
4.6.1 Notice. Telephone notice or any other means of written or electronic communication may be used to call a meeting of the Executive Committee. All EC members must be given notice of all meetings of the EC with adequate advance notice to attend or to participate electronically or by telephone. Attendance at or electronic participation in a meeting is acknowledgement that adequate notice has been provided.
4.6.2 Manner of Meeting. Meetings may be in person, by telephone, or by other electronic means.
4.6.3 Quorum and Binding Decision. A quorum of the Executive Committee shall be three members. All valid and binding decisions of the EC must be concurred with by a minimum of three members and so minuted.
4.7 Nominations
for Election to the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee
shall anticipate annual elections by communicating with member associations
to be sure that persons are nominated at the Annual Meeting for election
to the EC. If names are not forthcoming from Member Associations, the EC
shall constitute itself as a nominating committee to suggest names at the
Annual Meeting if no other names come forward.
Article V. Amendment of ByLaws and Dissolution of the League
5.1 Amendment of ByLaws
5.1.1 Notice of Proposed Amendment. Any proposed amendment to these ByLaws shall originate by action of the Executive Committee or by a member association and must be circulated to all member associations for review at least 28 days before a meeting is held to consider the amendment.
5.1.2 Meeting of Members to Amend, Voting. Only a duly called meeting of Members can amend these ByLaws. ByLaws may be amended, after proper notice, by a majority of all votes eligible to be cast by the entire association membership.
5.2 Dissolution of the League
5.2.1 Notice of Proposed Dissolution. Any proposal for Dissolution shall originate by action of the Executive Committee or by a member association and must be circulated to all member associations for review at least 28 days before a meeting is held to consider the action.
5.2.2 Decision to Dissolve. If the member associations of the League decide to dissolve the league, is may only be accomplished by a super majority of 75% of all votes eligible to be cast by the entire association membership at a duly called Meeting of Members following proper notice.
5.2.3 Distribution of Assets. In the event of dissolution, any remaining assets of the League shall be distributed to not-for-profit youth soccer organizations qualified under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code.